I’ve wanted chickens since before we moved to Portland (in September 2007), but it never seemed like a real possibility. Our house sits on a smallish lot and about two-thirds of the backyard is given over to vegetables. The only place we could put a chicken coop in the backyard would be right next to the only place to sit and eat outside, something we do a lot of in the summer. Even a well-tended coop carries a smell I’d rather not eat next to on a hot summer day. And then there’s the whole keeping-the-chickens-out-of-the-vegetables thing.
Our first couple of years in Portland, Kiddo and I would visit the Urban Farm Store and look at the chicks, and make daily visits to the neighbors’ chickens across the street. Then time moved on and I let the chicken dream go. I don’t think I brought Ladybug to visit the chicks at the farm store more than once since she was born, and we almost never visit the neighbors’ coop.
Three-year-old Kiddo gazing longingly at a tub of chicks in the Chicken Dreaming Years
Kiddo visiting the neighbors' coop. (He was so LITTLE!)
Yesterday we went to the Urban Farm Store because it’s plantin’ time and I needed to stock up on the components of the organic fertilizer mix* I use. It was a dryish sunny day, so we all walked over there together, and Billy entertained the kids over by the chicks while I measured out the lime and kelp meal. Apparently all that was missing to make the chicken dream a reality was getting Billy in front of some fluffy little chicks. Now he wants chickens. You know… “for the kids.”
It still won’t work in the backyard, but with Billy on board we now have another option. Chickens in the front yard. Because this is Portland, after all.
CHICKENS!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! WE’RE GETTING CHICKENS!!!!!!!
- *Steve Solomon’s complete organic fertilizer, from Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades:
- 4 parts seed meal
- 1/2 part lime
- 1/2 part phosphate rock or bone meal
- 1/2 part kelp meal
I’m all sorts of envious of your having chickens. N fears I will have my heart broken by wildlife eating the birds, so he tries to convince me I’m allergic to chickens. I haven’t given up the fight…maybe I need to bring him to see some chicks!
I can’t wait to read about your life with chickens!
My massage therapist, late of Portland, proclaims that Gainesville is the “Portland of Florida”, and indeed I see front yard chicken coops in many a neighborhood. I know you’ll all enjoy your fresh eggs layers…
Oh – so jealous! I grew up with chickens and when I eat truly fresh eggs I envy people who can have their own.
Enjoy!
Oh Cari this is so timely! I think the idea of backyard (or front yard) chickens is exploding everywhere! We live in a town that claims not to permit chickens but the city code is very vague. We’re starting an underground chicken movement. lol One friend already has some and will be putting up a coop in the next few weeks. Others are joining but we’re very hush-hush about it so they get well established before the city can find out or complain. I’m looking forward to watching your progress!
Laura, Underground Chicken Movement!!! Do it!!!
I want chickens!!!!! But I’m averse to the poop smell. I’m really jealous though.
Nell, maybe you just need to start hanging around chicken coops to desensitize yourself to the smell 😉
Boc-boc-boc-BOCKEHHHYYYYY! (it’s to hard to know how to spell chicken voice)
I’m so looking forward to vicarious chicken farming via your blog! My neighborhood homeowner’s association would freak out if I put a chicken coop in my front yard… Which makes it SO tempting! 😉
Are you planning to keep chickens for eggs only, or are you hoping to have enough chickens for meat as well?
Rebecca: We don’t have nearly enough space to raise chickens for meat, so eggs only. I have toyed with the idea of meat rabbits, but Billy nixed that. Though maybe I just need to wait for him to come around on that one too.
Congratulations! I might have to try your recipe, too.
A couple space-efficient front-yard coop ideas: http://bit.ly/FR3gp3 (in the comments, that is).
Elisabeth, thanks for the link! I’ll go check it out.
Oh, I want chickens, too! But my husband, a former farmer boy, and our neighbor both had chickens as children, and they say NO. They claim that chickens smell and peck each other and bring coyotes into the yard. But should you decide to get chickens, check out out the Eggloo. They send you the chicks in the mail!
Growing up on a farm, I still have visions of being pecked while bringing grain into the brooder house! A close friend has chickens in her backyard and loves them. And I’m loving your blog, especially your series about writer’s with children. Having twins (3 1/2 year old boys) makes continuing a writing life difficult, but I’m finding inspiration in your interview series. Thanks, and good luck with those chicks!
Oh MY!! I want my own chickens sooooo bad! My boyfriend thinks I’m crazy and I’m pretty sure the Co-Op board won’t let me put them on the roof. 😉
I’ll have to live vicariously through you!
Cool! We’re getting ducks in a few weeks, and I’m beside myself. I think chickens are next — maybe next year after we get the hang of egg-layers in the backyard. That’s SO exciting!
Cindy: I’ve been following your duck plans on Facebook. I’m excited for you! Please post lots of duck photos.
You can move this — can house 10 chickens and will sit on a raised bed.
http://snohomish.wsu.edu/livestock/tiller/tiller.htm
Ooh! Thanks, Catherine!